After spending 6 years between Towson and Salisbury University and graduating with my bachelor’s degree I thought my time as a “true” student was over. Since watching the "Cold War Game" between Michigan State and Michigan I always knew that I wanted to become a part of the Spartan community. I had been accepted to Michigan State University as an undergraduate student however circumstances did not allow me to attend and being a Spartan has always been a dream of mine. I have always carried that clip on my shoulder and wonder if I would ever be one. Fast forward 8 years, I was sitting on my back porch when the mail arrived and a huge envelope address from MSU arrived. Congratulations you have been accepted and now your journey begins. Before this journey I was in a rut in my professional life. I felt that my career was going nowhere and needed a change. Little did I know the next 2 and half years would forever change my life.
On the first day of the journey, I remember logging into a Zoom meeting in my CEP-810 class nervous and stressed as anything. I had not been a student in over 10 years and I didn’t know what to expect. At the same time my professional teaching career came to a standstill when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and in-person learning turned into teaching from behind a screen. CEP 810 taught me more than just about the basic technology in education. It taught me the fundamentals of solving “wicked problems” and understanding the most efficient way to implement technology into the classroom. When implementing lessons and using digital tools I was introduced to TPACK which better navigate me bringing technology in the classroom. TPACK is a very useful tool and guide teachers can use to bring purposeful lessons using technology. Since the COVID-19 pandemic county schools in Maryland have been pushing for teachers and students to utilize technology and digital resources more however; where the issue has become is that many teachers do not understand how to properly implement technology and proper training with TPACK could be a huge bonus. TPACK focuses on three different types of knowledge: content which refers to the” what we teach”, pedagogy is the “how we teach'' and technology is the “tools we use.” When we are able to combine all 3 knowledge then lessons in the classroom can become more engaging and meaningful.
While CEP 810 taught me how to create digital content and lessons it also taught me the application of using technological tools in a creative way. I also learned that we are heading into a new era of education. We are no longer paper and pencil and lecturing students for hours on hours. We have become more developed and evolved. While completing my wicked problem I learned that the “Why” is the most important piece. Why are students doing this? What is the point and why is it important for students to understand this content? In class I was asked to create a 21st century lesson plan. I had what I thought was a really good lesson before this class but after revision and implementation of the new resources I gathered I was able to make it more student-driven, engaging and better suited for students of all learning styles/levels. The deeper I got into my CEP 810 class the more I understood that I was not a 21st-century teacher, and if I wanted to advance my students into the next generation of education I had to change a lot about the way I taught. I was afraid to bring technology into a classroom, however when I’m able to make sure that the technology has a purpose and the technological tools I use are necessary I know that I’m doing right by my students.
Another class that really brought confidence and understanding of technology was my CEP 815. A class that focused on technology and leadership; I took this class in the fall of 2021 during a time in which I was chosen to take on an Interdisciplinary Team Leader position. CEP 815 changed my outlook on what true leadership in teaching and technology should be viewed and addressed. My school is currently going through a change, new teachers are coming into the building, our teachers are leaving and many teachers my age are being asked to step in and take the reins. CEP 815 has helped me understand the impact that I have on my school and where I need to focus my efforts for growth and improvement. Another aspect of CEP 815 that has stuck with me was how powerful technology and social media really are. Unfortunately, while we continue to push both platforms there are main and serious issues and potential interventions. Technology is available to anything and it truly doesn’t know the age of the user. Regulations don’t really protect the user name with a rise in depression, anxiety and many other forms of emotional abuse or problems. Youtube, facebook, twitter all these platforms use advertisements to gear young children to buying or doing things because it is “cool” and what the society does. As a lead teacher I plan on integrating lesson plans that promote student responsibility and digital citizenship. I plan on designing lessons that teach my students how to make safe choices on the internet. Showcase to them the importance of staying safe and smart choices, they are responsible for them and once they post something online it’s out there forever.
The final course that changed my life and gave me the confidence to dive deeper in education was CEP-820. This course was designed to teach how to create different resources and lesson plans on an online platform. I took this course right as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning. Having no idea what I was doing, this course turned out to be just what I needed. I was able to use the platform my school was using and while I was teaching and gaining knowledge of the platform I was able to successfully navigate my students. During a time in which teachers were struggling, I was blossoming. My students were doing so well, because I was quickly learning how to create lesson plans on the online platform. Google Classroom was a tough pill to swallow, but I’m so glad that I did when I did. Another student and I who both in the class created interactive lessons plans to share with each other. We made sure that each student understood what they were doing and learning. In a time where setting them up for success and making them feel comfortable. I think that during the pandemic students were looking for something that felt normal and comfortable. Many teachers and students struggled during this time. But the ones who understood the digital world, were more successful as were their students and I am glad that I was able to take such a wonderful course that gave me the fundamentals to make over 120 students successful in a year of mad chaos.
As my time at Michigan State comes to end I am forever grateful but at the same time I'm very upset and sad. As I began this journey during a time when the world was turned upside down, I have learned so much over the last two and half years and had experiences. I also felt a deep sense of community with my fellow classmates who in 4 weeks time I will walk across the stage with and begin a new journey. I came into the program searching for who I am in my educational career and I found that while I was at Michigan State. I learned so much and plan to take back too much to make learning in my classroom more enjoyable but at the time guiding the 21st century guidelines of education. I will continue to promote safe and orderly technology use in my classroom and to be sure that I’m truly reaching each and every one of my students to make a major difference in their lives.